ILDA JACOBS, Washington DC | Monday
SOUTH Africa’s world famous acapella group, Ladysmith Black Mambazos documentary film, “On Tip Toe: Gentle Steps to Freedom” has been given an Academy Award nomination for Best Short Documentary.
They were also nominated for their second Grammy for best traditional and folk release for their album, “Live in Royal Albert Hall.”
The documentary is the story of Joseph Shabalala and LBM and includes interviews with singer Paul Simon and others who have worked with the group over the years. Shabalala admits to “feeling dizzy” when he looks back at the success of his group.
“These nominations have given us more power to talk about our people, and to fund raise to fight poverty,” Shabalala said.
Shabalala, 60, said that when he was 20 he was a “young, hungry lion.”
“I didn’t want to stay in the world. I saw nothing good and beautiful. I didn’t want to reach 26.”
But his music changed him and he’s glad to be alive. “If I’m alive, I can help,” he explained.
He and Stanley Brady, an African-American children’s advocate and Program Director of the Step Ahead Program, have fundraised for impoverished and disadvantaged African and American children.
Brady and LBM have shipped several containers of clothes and materials to South Africa after teaming up in 1998.
When LBM first performed with Paul Simon in the 80s, he thought audiences only clapped simply to encourage the group.
“I thought they clapped because they thought, ‘Oh shame, these oppressed people are crying every day, let’s clap’. Now I know they clap because our music is uplifting.”
Shabalala dreams of opening the Mambazo Academy of South African Music and Culture, where he can teach Isicathemeya music, the traditional a capella music that has given their band their international reputation.
“Isicathemeya music is music from the blood, it is our tradition, our mirror in which we look to see ourselves and our grandfathers,” Shabalala said.
He hopes that the nominated documentary will raise funds for the proposed school.
LBM is currently planning a possible AIDS benefit with Paul Simon in September this year. – African Eye News Service